Instrument light



Aug. 3 1926.

E. N. JAcOBl INSTRUMENT LIGHT Filed March 5, 1920 @a W70-Q V GPQ/MQ Patented Aug. 3, 1926.

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15ans EDWARD N. JACOBI. OF MILVAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSQ'N- MENTS, TO BRIGGS & STRATIN GRFCBRATIQN, OF 1/.tL."WAUKEE, XWSCONSN, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

INSTRUMENT LIGHT.r

Application filed March 3, 1920. Serial No. 363,035.

lThis invention has Ylor its object to provide an instrument light for instrument panels of automobiles and the like.

An object of the invention is to simplify the construction of a lamp of this type for use with what is known as a two wire lighting system, in which a ground return is not employed.

Another object of the invention is to 10 avoid the use of coil springs oi small diameter and to yprovide for housing a large coil spring in a space surrounding the lamp base, the shell providing such space aliording a support for a hood or shield and .adapted to cooperate therewith for partly or completely masking the lamp when desired.

With the above and other objects in view the 4invention consists in the instrument 20 light as herein claimed and all equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts `in different views Fig. 1 is a central sectional view ot' an instrument light constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view on a plane at right angles to the sectional yplane of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional. view thereoi with the lamp removed;

Fig. 41 is a sectional view with the lamp removed; and,

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation.

In these drawings indicates a plate forming ai support, such as the front plate of a panel board of an automobile instrument set. A sheet metal shell .11 passes through an opening in the plate 10 with its outwardly jturned flange riveted to the edges of the opening, together with an insulatingl base or end piece 12 of vulcanized fiber or other suitable material.

The upper end of the shell 11 is preferably reduced in diameter, as shown, and seated against the shoulder formed by this reduction is a coil spring 13 bearing at its other end against an insulating spacing ring 14 which is carried by a longitudinally movable sleeve 15, constituting a socket for an electric lamp 16.

The sleeve 15 is provided with opposite bayonet slots 17 to receive the projecting pins or studs 18 of the usual lamp base 19 Cil terial which tits within the guide formed by the reduced upper portion of the shell 11 and is held in place by outwardly bent lugs 23 out from the sleeve. The sleeve is thus slidably mounted. within the shell and is held downwardly with spring pressure, Y

though it is spaced from the shell by insulating rings and is free from electrical contact therewith in all of its positions.

their the lamp 16 is inserted in the sleeve 15 with its lugs 18 fitting in the bayonet slots, its end terminal 2a bearson a Vcontact which' is clinched to the center of the insulating end piece 12, and the lugs 18 .cooperate with cam portions 260i the bayonet slots 17' when the lamp is turnedV so as to lit't the sleeve 15 against the pressure ot its spring until the lugs enter the pockets in the ends of the bayonet slots. ln this position the parts are held with spring pressure, insuring firm electrical Contact between the lamp terminals and the socket terminals.

A tongue 27 projects from contact 25 through the insulating end piece 12 and a similar tongue 28 projects from the lower edge ot sleeve 15 and slidably lits through an opening in the insulating end piece 12, and these tongues 27 and 28 form wiring connections to which the lead wires may be soldered or otherwise connected.

A metal hood 29 fits on the reduced portion ci the shell 11 and the opening 80 in its side through which the light shows may be turned so as to lbe closed by an upwardly extending projection 31 on the edge of the shell, forming a shield to partly or entirely block the passage o1c light through the opening of the hood. This adjustment is eiected by merelv turning the hood.

The light ot this invention is of simple construction that is inexpensive to manufacture and still is strong and durable, particularly because of the `location of the spring in the space surrounding the lamp socket, thus enabling the use of a large spring that will not be liable to weaken.

The movingY lamp socket sleeve is thoroughly insulated and the parts are held in iirm electrical contact by the pressure of the spring.

The adjustable hood with its cooperating guard on the shell enables the light to be controlled as desired and the entire device is neat and ornamental in its appearance.

One ot the principal uses for the invention is as a dashlight in series with the tail-light. In such arrangement it is necessary to-provde for a wiring connection with both terminals ot' the dashlight even though the lighting system is of the single wire type. The device of the present invention permits ot the use of the single contact lamp standard with such systems and when it is desired to have the tail lamp burn without a material light on the dash, the adjustment ot the hood Ot this light permits thereof.

That I claim asI new and desire to secure by Lette-rs Patent is l. An instrument light, comprising a shell, a base having a contact tor engagement by the end terminal of a lamp base, a longitudinally movable sleeve adapted to receive the lamp base, a spring-'urging the sleeve toward the base, and a tongue projecting from the sleeve and slidably passing through the base and adapted to torni a wiring connection. f

2. In an instrument lamp, a shell, an insulating base therefor, a sleeve slidably mounted within the shell and insulated therefrom, a spring urging the sleeve toward the base, a tongue projecting from the shell and slidably passing through an opening in the insulating base,isaid sleeve being adapted to receive a lamp base, and a contact on the insulating base adapted to be engaged by the end terminal ot the lamp base.

3. In an instrument light, a shell, a sleeve within the shell,fan insulating ring spacing the sleeve from the shell, a coil spring surrounding'the sleeve and contained within the space between the shell and the sleeve and bearing on the ring, and on the shell, said sleeve being adapted to receive a lamp base, and an insulated contact at the end of the `shell adapted to be engaged by the end terminal of the lamp base.

4. In an instrument light, a shell, a sleeve within the shell, insulating rings surrounding the sleeve and spacing its ends from the shell, a coil spring surrounding the sleeve and contained within the space be tween the sleeve and the shell and bearing on the shell and on one ot' the insulating rings, said sleeve beine` adapted to receive the base of an electric lamp, an insulating end piece on the shell, and a contact on the end piece adapted to Ibe engaged by the end terminal or the lamp base.

5. In an instrument light, a shouldered shell, a cylindrical sleeve therein, insulating rings around the ends of the sleeve spacing them from the walls of the shell, a spring surrounding ther sleeve and seated on the shoulder of the shell and bearing on one ot the insulating rings, said sleeve having bayonet slots to receive the lugs of a lamp base, an insulating end piece on the shell, a contact thereon adapted to be engaged by the end terminal of the lamp base, and a connectingtongue on the sleeve passing through an `opening in the insulating end piece.

6. In an instrument light, a sheetmetal shelllwitha reduced upper end forming a shoulder, a sleeve within the shell, a spring surrounding the sleeve and bearingagainst the shoulder and adapted to move the sleeve downwardly, an insulating end piece on the shell, a contact thereon, said sleeve being adapted to receive a lamp base and the contact to engage the end terminal of the lamp base, the reduced end ot the shell heilig adapted to receive a hood Fitting against the shoulder.

In testimony whereoLI aflix my signature.

EDWARD N. JACOBI. 

